October 2010 New Products

There’s no denying that an HEI ignition system is the easiest and least expensive way to get your engine project fired. That’s not the same as saying it’s cheap, just less costly than the alternative of a separate distributor, stand-alone coil, and stand-alone CD ignition box. An entry-level, off-shore HEI distributor suitable for a hot street application is still about $160 if you do some shrewd shopping. But what if you could endow a new or rebuilt stock HEI with the power of today’s top racing ignitions? That’s where MSD’s Heat digital HEI module (PN 83647) comes in. For about $126 (typical Summit Racing mail-order price) you can plug this baby into your existing stock HEI (it’s a direct plug-in using the stock four-pin connector) and produce up to 7.5 amps of current at up to 9,000 rpm. MSD’s Heat module also has a built-in adjustable rev-limiter ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 rpm. You’ll dig the stealthy stock look too!

Dakota Digital has begun releasing a new line of gauges called VHX, with its first design for the timeless ’57 Chevy. Dakota Digital is no stranger to the gauge market-their digital offerings were as revolutionary as they were stunning when they were introduced. To answer the new demands of customers, Dakota has entered the analog gauge market with VHX, which brings years of development and decades of automotive engineering experience to a quickly evolving product line.

VHX offers lighted needles, backlit faces, and full character message centers for all displays, and provides a fresh approach to outfitting a custom vehicle. The VHX Series uses solid state sensors and precision stepper motors for the ultimate in accuracy, coupled with a limited lifetime warranty. The VHX Series allows for future plug-in expansion modules, allowing nearly any type or amount of vehicle data to be shown within the message centers. The ’57 Chevy Instrument System attaches directly to the stock instrument pod and uses either a stock or an aftermarket wiring harness, and stock, modified, or late-model drivetrain. Systems are available with a blue or red display color and either a satin silver or carbon-fiber-style face.

An engine’s flexplate must absorb the numerous machining tolerances in an engine as it performs its job of transferring torque to the chassis. That job is made more difficult as power increases; the flexplate stores an incredible amount of kinetic energy that can become unsafe if exacting manufacturing tolerances aren’t observed. That’s ATI’s specialty-building exacting powertrain components that exceed the performance and safety needs of high-powered race cars and street machines alike. ATI’s SuperPlates are manufactured from a super-strong material with a 90,000-pound tensile strength and 80,000-pound yield strength to withstand thousands of cycles. SuperPlates are laser machined to avoid the heat and stress that stamping inflicts on them. ATI SuperPlates are neutral balanced for use in internally balanced engines and exceed SFI 29.1 and 29.2 ratings.

Progress isn’t always good. Take for instance today’s polycarbonate (i.e. plastic) headlight lenses. Detroit is able to shape these pieces to best suit aerodynamics and styling, but they have one bad trait: They become sandblasted, and change to a dull, yellow color with age. Not only does this aging make your car look old and rundown, it also poses a safety hazard as the light transmission capability is reduced.

This new Headlight Restoration Kit from Mothers (PN 07250, $24.39 through Summit Racing), can reverse all but the most severe headlight damage at a fraction of the cost of new headlight lenses. The kit consists of Mothers PowerPlastic plastic polish, a PowerBall 4Lights buffing tool, a scratch-free microfiber towel, and a set of restoration abrasive pads for removal of severe pitting and scratches. All you need to provide is a high-speed drill to operate the PowerBall. To repair your lenses, just put a nickel-sized dab of PowerPlastic to the PowerBall, then polish the lens with an overlapping, back-and-forth motion. The final step is to buff the PowerPlastic off with the microfiber towel. More severely damaged lenses may need progressive wet-sanding with the included restoration pads prior to buffing with the PowerBall. It’s that simple.

Classic Performance Products’ transmission crossmember for the 700-R4 overdrive automatic measures 551/4 inches in length and is made of 11/2-inch OD heavy-wall tubing. Designed specifically for ’65-75 Impalas and fullsize Chevys using Turbo 700 transmissions, this crossmember will fit around most exhaust systems. The crossmember is an easy bolt-in installation, and provides a clean, professional look. CPP’s kit comes complete with a new rubber-insulated transmission mount and two transmission mount-to-case bolts, and retails for $175.

The Lunati BareBones flat-tappet cam and lifter sets accommodate four versions of Chevrolet small-block engines (’55-98 and ’87-up LT1 and LT4), and two versions of Chevrolet big-blocks (’65-96). For small-block Fords, there are six versions (302 and 351 firing order), and three versions for big-block Fords. BareBones flat-tappet cam and lifter kits begin at $106.39, making them super affordable in a tough economy. Eight versions of the BareBones roller cam and lifter sets for these same engines begin at $599.99.

BareBones cams are ground with asymmetrical lobes; one side of the ramp is usually straight to the nose of the lobe, while the closing ramp profile has a pronounced dip in the middle, producing quieter operation and being gentler on the valvetrain. These cams improve throttle response, acceleration, and maintain excellent engine vacuum on the street.

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